Hi all - I really need some advice, as I'm about at the end of my rope.

I have a deep fissure, and have been using Diltiazem for the past month, with some minor improvement. Last week, I had to go into the emergency care clinic. I've developed a inflammed hemorrhoid right along the edge of the fissure, and two minor ones. It is so swollen, and painful, and the fissure is now raised and looks like it's in the center of the hemmy. I was given a 10 day prescription for antibiotics (Cipro), and told to use hydrocortizone cream. The swelling has not gone down, but there is some pus like drainage. I've been alternating cold and hot compresses, which give some short term relief, but the hemmy is not going away.

I just called the pharmacy that compounds the Diltiazem, to check if what they are compounding it with could be aggrevating the problem. She told me no, but that the Diltiazem would be making it worse, as it's doing the opposite of what I need to happen to get rid of the hemmy. And that hydrocotizone cream would make an infection harder to heal. She recommended calling my doctor, but he fought me on even trying the Diltiazem, as he wanted to do surgery, so I don't feel I can talk to him.

What do I do??? I really need some relief. Preparation H burns like crazy, I tried to apply some vitamin E oil yesterday, and that brought on burning, pain, and bleeding. Does anyone have any suggestions of what I can do? I really can't take much more of this. Please help!

You could ask for a prescription for topical Lidocaine or Lidocaine and prilosec. To be honest, neither one helped me, but everyone is different.
Ibuprofen was a life saver for me.
I wish I could help more. That sounds miserable. I'm so sorry.

Hi CreativeMuse

We're sorry to hear of your fight with not just a fissure but that added devil-the hemmys. What many people do here is to attack the one first, the fissure as the ointment for the two contradicts each other, The Hydrocortisone is not good for the fissure as it thins the skin out down there.

I would try to get another opinion and be referred to another Dr. if I were you. In the mean time do all you can to keep your stools soft. Lets hope you can get checked out soon as it sounds like an infection or abscess may be trying to develop in you.

GL

Thank you both for your quick replies. I've been searching the web since I posted this. My roommate came home at lunch, and seeing my pain & panic, I sent him off to get some DESITIN cream (for diaper rash - has 40% zinc oxide) and
Calmoseptine Ointment, as that is all I could find mentioned repeatedly on random sites. Apparently zinc oxide is ok for fissures also (?)

Yes, I need a new doctor. My GP was annoyed that I didn't "respect" the advice of the general surgeon he sent me to, and the town I live in is all part of the same healthcare network. People that live here avoid going to the hospital as it has a bad reputation. I had to fight really hard just to get the Diltiazem. There are no colon rectal surgeons or colon specialists near where I live. I'm looking into University of Michigan, which is about a 3 hour drive from here.

Regarding the Ibuprofen - that was my preferred OTC pain reliever, but I thought that wasn't good to use when you have a fissure? I'll take some right now though - I can barely think straight from the pain, and I still have work to do today.

Thought I would post an update in case someone reading is in need of quick relief, and can't get to a doctor fast enough.

The DESITIN® Rapid Relief Cream (formulated with 13% zinc oxide, aloe, and vitamin E) got rid of the crawl out of my skin irritation that was happening....for about 4 hours. The stinging came back on pretty quickly. And it was messy & thick, like caulk.

The Calmoseptine Ointment (you can pick it up at Walgreens, though it will probably be behind the pharmacy counter - but no prescription needed) is formulated with menthol (0.44%)external analgesic, first aid antiseptic & Zinc Oxide (20.625%)skin protectant/moisture barrier. This actually gave the most relief. I avoided putting it on the actual fissure opening, and just put a thin layer on the swollen hemmy edges and surrounding area. It took about 5 minutes before I could feel the menthol kicking in. I was scared at first, wondering just how intense that feeling would get - but it was the perfect amount. It works great for me, and took away the inflammation feeling quickly. I applied a little bit before going to bed, and twice now today. On their website, uses listed include minor burns, scrapes, fistulas and wound drainage.

Calmoseptine Ointment = two thumbs up! :)

I have an appointment to be looked at on Friday (since my antibiotics end tomorrow, and there is still some infection going on, from what I can tell). It is with a different general surgeon who shares the same office space as the one that fought me on using Diltiazem. Lucky for me he is on vacation, but I also made it clear when I made the appointment that I still want to stick with the plan - I just need some help with the new complications. And that I wanted a new doctor to consult with.